Temperature indicator



June 29 1926.

J. E. SMISOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR Filed Oct. 17, 1925 immntoz 5 4 ff $5 momm Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATES JASPER E. SMISOR, OF MARION, INDIANA.

TEMPERATURE INDICATOR.

Application filed October 17, 1925.

This invention relates to temperature indicators, and more particularly to that type adapted to be attached to the radiator cap of an automobile radiator in such manner as to be visible from the drivers seat of the car.

The object of the invention is to provide an instrument which can be cheaply manufactured and which is adapted to stand severe use. Another object of the invention is to provide indicating parts which can readily be seen by the driver, either at night or during the day. Another object of the invention is to so arrange the parts of the device that when the device is installed it will require no care by the driver of the car, but will satisfactorily perform its work under the most trying use.

Further objects will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of the device showing the casing with parts removed. Fig. 2 is a like view, showing a sheet placed upon the casing, and the tube below in section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the device assembled. Fig. 4 is a detail showing the thermostatic element and arrow supporting member.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 1 indicates a tube adapted to be inserted in the radiator neck, having threads 2 and nut 3 by which the instrument is secured to the radiator cap. A compound thermostatic element 4, which may consist of a strip of brass and one of steel secured together, is mounted at 5 on the lower arm 6 of a supporting member. The upper arm 7 of this support ing member is adapted to snugly fit in the lower end of casing 11 just above tube 1, the lower arm 6 projecting downwardly to the bottom of tube 1, and snugly fitting the inner wall thereof. Arm 7 is split to form a fork to support and guide a pointer 8 pivoted therein at 9. The pointer 8 has a notch 10 in its lower end engaged by the upper end of the thermostatic element 1, whereby expansion and contraction of said element will oscillate said pointer.

Integral with and extending upwardly and outwardly from tube 1 is a casing 11 in which pointer 8 moves. This casing is open at the back and front thereof. In assembling the parts of the device, viewing the instrument from the drivers seat: A thin plate or sheet 12 corresponding in shape with the casing, is placed over the front opening of Serial No. 63,015.

as shown in Fig. 2. This sheet 12 has an opening 13 therein and red, white and green dots above said opening. Pointer 8 points to one of these dots according to the temperature of the cooling water in the circulation system of the automobile. A similar sheet 15 is placed on the back opening of the casing 11 and has a corresponding opening 16 therein, Fig. 1. Suitable protective glasses, not shown, are placed upon these sheets, and securing members 17, Fig. 3, corresponding in shape with casing 11, are fixed by screws or the like to the casing, whereby the sheets and glasses are held in place.

A spring strip 18 may be mounted in casing 11 to limit movement of the pointer when the element contracts upon lowering of temperature of the circulating water, so that the pointer may be visible at all times. Members 19 may be attached to the side of the casing to give the same an ornamental appearance.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. It will be seen that the head of the pointer, which may be painted red, can clearly be seen both during the day and at night, because of the openings 13 and 16. During the day, the pointer will be silhouetted by the natural light in front of the car, and at night by the artificial illumination produced by the headlights of the car. When the two bars of the compound thermostatic element expand unequally, due to the rise of temperature, the element will move and its motion will be transmitted by notch 10 to the pointer. The pointer head will then swing to the left a distance proportionate to the rise in temperature of the circulating water, and the observing driver will at once be iuformed of such temperature by noting the dot to which the pointer is directed.

The arms 6 and 7 of the supporting member provide a stable and compact support for the thermostatic element and the pointer, in order that the temperature indication will be reliable.

I claim:

1. A temperature indicating device comprising a tube, a supporting member in said tube having a long arm extending downwardly in said tube, a thermostatic element fixed to the lower end of said member and extending upwardly in the tube, and a the casin said tube, and a pointer connected to said bar and pivoted to thelast mentioned arm.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, said downwardly extending arm fitting snugly m the inner wall of the tube to assist the other arm in i'iolding the parts in rigid position. I

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JASPER E. SMISOR. 

